When I used to update irregularly, back in my initial days of wattpad writing, I used to get more votes and comments.. I guess since I am giving regular updates anyways, my efforts aren't getting valued enough. Nearly 1k people read the chapters regularly, but hardly 250 people has the courtesy to vote and not even twenty people comments... There is nothing more discouraging than this. I am still updating because I already have the upcoming chapters drafted, but once that is over, there won't be regular updates as I don't feel like writing new chapters...

Dhruv's pov!

When I stepped inside the house, the calming fragrance of sandalwood incense filled the air, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. My eyes were immediately drawn to the small Pooja area in the living room, where a Lord Krishna sculpture stood, adorned with fresh flowers and lit by a soft, flickering diya. Shraddha had set it up beautifully, a reflection of her devotion that I hadn't realised ran so deep.

I didn't know much about her faith before, but seeing this, I could sense how much peace it brought her. There was something soothing about the scene, and for a moment, the tension from the day began to melt away.

"Dhruv," Shraddha's soft voice interrupted my thoughts. She was standing by the kitchen doorway, holding a glass of chilled lemon juice. She walked over to where I had sat on the couch, handing me the glass with a gentle smile.

"Have this, you look exhausted," she said softly, her concern evident in her voice.

I took the glass, the coldness a welcome relief against my warm hands. As I sipped the tangy liquid, the citrus burst on my tongue instantly cooling me down. I hadn't realised just how parched I was until the first gulp slid down my throat, bringing with it a sense of refreshment I desperately needed.

"Thank you," I muttered, leaning back against the couch, feeling the weight of the day begin to lift. She was standing beside me, her presence quiet but steady, and it was in these moments I realised how much she had become my calm amidst the storm.

"How was work today?" She asked, sitting down next to me, her eyes full of warmth and genuine curiosity.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair, still wound tight from the events of the day.

"Stressful," I admitted, "but coming home to this... it's just what I needed."

Her smile widened, as if my words brought her some sort of satisfaction. "I am glad you liked it," she said, glancing briefly at the Pooja area. "I thought it would bring a peaceful atmosphere."

"It does," I said, my gaze following hers. The soft glow from the diya cast a serene light around the room, and in that moment, I felt more at ease than I had all day.

Shraddha looked back at me, concern flickering in her eyes. "I could tell you have had a tough day."

I nodded, placing the empty glass on the table. "It wasn't just the work," I admitted, thinking back to the frustrating meetings, the bad designs, the mounting pressure. "There's a lot riding on this merger, and today was... challenging, to say the least."

She didn't say anything, but her hand found mine, her fingers brushing lightly against my palm. That simple touch sent a wave of calm through me. I squeezed her hand, grateful for her quiet support.

"Whatever it is, you'll handle it, Dhruv," she said softly. "You always do."

Her faith in me was unshakable, and in that moment, I felt a surge of determination. The day had been hard, but sitting here with Shraddha, her belief in me, the peaceful atmosphere she had created—it all made me feel like I could handle whatever came next.

I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, and pressed a kiss to her temple.

Third person's pov!

After pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, Dhruv stood up, his body still buzzing with the warmth of Shraddha's affection.

"I am going to take a quick shower," he said, smiling softly before walking towards their bedroom.

The hot water washed away the last traces of exhaustion clinging to his muscles, leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated. He could hear the soft clinking of utensils from the kitchen as Shraddha began preparing dinner. A small smile tugged at his lips as he imagined her there, quietly humming to herself as she cooked.

Once Dhruv was done, he slipped into a comfortable t-shirt and shorts before heading towards the kitchen. The sight of Shraddha chopping vegetables, completely focused on her task, made his chest swell with warmth. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Shraddha squirmed slightly as his beard brushed against her neck, a playful smile lighting up her face.

"Dhruv, your beard!" she laughed, trying to twist away from the ticklish sensation. But Dhruv, always one to take advantage of the moment, nuzzled her neck even more, dragging the bristles of his beard along her soft skin.

"Stop it, Dhruv. It's tickling!" Shraddha complained between bursts of laughter, wriggling in his arms.

He chuckled, then pressed light kisses along the side of her neck, sending a shudder down her spine.

"Dhruv, please..." she whispered, her voice catching as his hands slipped beneath her top, caressing the smooth skin of her waist. His touch was both gentle and teasing, his fingers tracing circles as they inched higher.

Before he could take things further, Shraddha playfully pushed him away, her breathing slightly uneven. Dhruv smiled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. She shot him a half-hearted glare as she turned back to the stove.

"You will ruin dinner," she said, trying to sound stern but failing to hide the laughter in her voice.

"We could have ordered," Dhruv mumbled, his lips still curled in that playful grin. Shraddha shot him another glare, though this one was far less effective with the smile twitching at the corners of her mouth.

"You promised to pluck mangoes for me. They are ripe, and they look delicious," she said, placing her hands on her hips in mock defiance. "You have no idea how impatiently I have been waiting for you to come home and get me some."

Dhruv chuckled, reaching out to pinch her cheek affectionately.

"You are cute when you pout," he teased.

Shraddha, determined not to be distracted, crossed her arms.

"Mangoes," she demanded again, her eyes narrowing.

"If I had known you were craving mangoes this badly, I would have bought some on the way." Dhruv sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes.

"Why would you buy them when we have perfectly good mangoes growing in our own backyard?" She retorted, incredulous.

Shaking his head in amusement, Dhruv gave her a mock salute.

"Alright, madam. Let me go and pluck your precious mangoes." With that, he stepped outside, flipping on the backyard lights.

As Dhruv approached the mango tree, he surveyed the branches, spotting the ripe, golden yellow fruit hanging tantalisingly from above. With a quick glance back at the house, he grabbed hold of the nearest branch and began climbing up with ease, his muscles flexing as he pulled himself higher. Shraddha, peeking from the window, found herself mesmerised by the sight. The way his arms moved, the way his body stretched, it all seemed so effortlessly masculine. She felt her cheeks heating, and she quickly shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts racing through her mind.

When Dhruv returned with a small bunch of mangoes in his arms, Shraddha's face broke into a wide grin.

"You did it!" She beamed, taking the mangoes from him.

Dhruv leaned against the counter, watching as Shraddha quickly peeled the skin off one of the mangoes and began slicing it into juicy chunks. She popped one piece into her mouth, savouring the sweet taste with a satisfied hum.

"Here, try some," she said, offering a piece to Dhruv. Instead of taking it with his hand, Dhruv leaned forward and captured the mango slice between his teeth. His lips brushed against her fingertips as he bit into the fruit, the cool, juicy sweetness of the mango mixing with the heat between them.

Shraddha felt a shiver run down her spine as his lips lingered on her skin just a moment too long. She offered him another piece, but this time, as he took it, he pulled her closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

The playful teasing from earlier was gone, replaced by a slow, simmering desire. Dhruv's thumb brushed across her lips, and Shraddha's heart raced as he gently fed her a slice of mango. The tangy sweetness melted on her tongue, but all she could taste was the heat between them, the way his eyes darkened as he watched her swallow.

He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers, the taste of mango still fresh between them.

"I think you are sweeter than the mangoes," Dhruv murmured, his voice husky.

Shraddha blushed, her heart pounding in her chest as his hand slipped to the small of her back, pulling her even closer. Their lips met again, this time in a slow, lingering kiss that made her forget about the dinner, the mangoes, everything except the feeling of Dhruv's lips on hers, and the warmth of his arms wrapped around her.

As they finally broke apart, their foreheads resting against each other, Dhruv chuckled softly.

"I think we should order some dinner." Dhruv said almost sheepishly. That's when Shraddha noticed the burnt smell.

"Oh no!" She groaned as she saw the vegetables that had turned black by now.

A/N

Please do vote and comment...

Love,

SF❤️